Mallards Weekly Update

February 15, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Quad City Mallards News Release


QUACK TRACKS

Splitsville

The Mallards split a pair of games in Tulsa over the weekend. They rebounded from last Friday's 3-2 loss to the Oilers by rallying for a wild 4-3 overtime win one night later.

Race

The Mallards are among a group of teams battling for Western Conference playoff berths. The Mallards are in tenth place in the conference, one point behind the ninth place Indy Fuel and three points behind the Colorado Eagles, who currently occupy the eighth and final playoff spot.

Comeback Kids

The Mallards fought back from a 2-0 third period deficit to win last Saturday in Wichita. The Mallards scored three straight third period goals to grab the lead late in regulation before Tulsa's Connor Kucera tied the score with just 54 seconds left after the Oilers pulled goaltender Kevin Carr and went on the power play to go up 6-on-4. The Mallards rebounded with Raphael Bussieres' game winner at 2:41 of overtime. Bussieres and Matt Carey produced two goals and one assist apiece.

Working Overtime

With last Saturday's win the Mallards improved to 4-3 in games decided in sudden death this season.

On the Road

The Mallards finish a four-game road trip (1-2-0) tomorrow evening in Wichita. Last Saturday's win halted the Mallards' seven-game (0-5-2) away winless streak. That drought was one game short of matching the team record for longest road winless streak the Mallards tied by going 0-6-2 away from home between October 17 and November 25. Saturday's victory was the Mallards' first on the road since they defeated the IceMen 2-1 in Evansville January 16. Tomorrow night's game will be the Mallards' ninth road contest out of their last 11 overall.

Home Sweet Home

Friday night's meeting with Cincinnati will kick off the Mallards' longest homestand of the season. The Mallards will play seven consecutive games at the iWireless Center through Saturday, March 5, when they close out the marathon homestand against the Thunder. After tomorrow night's tilt in Wichita, the Mallards do not play on the road again until visiting Evansville on Wednesday, March 9. The Mallards have won back-to-back home games and four of their last five on home ice.

Let's Make a Deal

The Mallards acquired goaltender P.J. Musico from the Greenville Swamp Rabbits last Tuesday in exchange for future considerations.

Between the Pipes

Brody Hoffman has made four straight starts in goal for the Mallards and has appeared in ten of the Mallards' last 12 games.

Streaking

Carey had five points (three goals and two assists) in the Mallards' two games last weekend. By scoring twice last Saturday Carey took over sole possession of the team lead in goals (14). He notched a goal and an assist last Friday. Carey is on a five-game point-scoring streak (5-4-9) and has produced 13 points (six goals and seven assists) in his last eight games. Carey, who has recorded 26 points in 25 games since arriving from the American Hockey League's Iowa Wild in December, is the only Mallard averaging at least a point per game.

Stop Sign

Brady Brassart's seven-game point-scoring streak (2-6-8) ended last Saturday in Wichita. Brassart's run is tied for the longest point-scoring streak put together by a Mallard this season. Austin Coldwell had points in seven straight games (1-9-10) between December 31 and December 17.

Top Trio

A member of the Mallards' line of Brassart, Carey and Kevin Henderson scored in seven straight games before Henderson departed Saturday to sign with SaiPa in the Finnish Liiga.

O from D

Three of the Mallards' top six point producers- Mike Monfredo (27), Guillaume Gelinas (26) and Austin Coldwell (22)- are defensemen. Monfredo is tied for ninth among ECHL defensemen in points. Gelinas has recorded two points in three of his last five games, producing two goals and four assists in that stretch.

Special Teams

Six of the seven goals scored in the Mallards' victory over Wichita last Saturday came on the power play. The Oilers converted all three of their man advantages while the Mallards went 3-for-6. Last Saturday marked the first time the Mallards have scored three power play goals in one game since a 4-3 shootout win over the Mavericks in Missouri on March 29, 2015 and the first time they allowed three since a 9-6 home loss to Bloomington on February 8, 2013. Bussieres scored a pair of power play goals including the game winner. Carey, who also scored the only even strength goal of the night, ended a 0-for-11 Mallard power play drought and kicked off an onslaught that saw the Mallards cash in their final three advantages by scoring at 4:19 of the third period Saturday evening. The Mallards were unsuccessful on each of their penalty kills Saturday night after surviving their foes' prior nine power plays and 15 of their opponents' prior 16 opportunities. By breaking loose last Saturday, the Mallards improved their power play success rate by better than a full percentage point- from 16.2 percent to 17.3 percent- to climb from eighteenth to tenth in the ECHL on the advantage. In contrast, their penalty kill percentage fell by over a percentage point- from 86.8 percent to 85.4 percent- and their league ranking dropped from a tie for fourth to eighth.

Head to Head

The Mallards have gone 2-0-1 against the Thunder this season. In the only prior meeting between the two teams in Wichita, the Thunder claimed a 5-4 shootout win on October 17. The clubs will clash a total of seven times. The Mallards have gone 15-17-2 all-time against Wichita and have gone 6-9-1 at Intrust Bank Arena...The Mallards have gone 2-1-1 against the Cyclones this season. They won their only prior home game against Cincinnati 2-1 on November 28. They have gone 2-3-1 all-time against the Cyclones and 1-2-0 on home ice.

Milestones

Darren McMillan has played 391 games for the Mallards, fourth most in club history. He is two games behind Mark McFarlane (393) and third place in team history...Mike Monfredo last Saturday played his two hundred fiftieth career game- all for the Mallards- and will move into a tie for tenth place in team history with Glen Stewart and Frederick Jobin- both of whom played 251 times for the Mallards- when he next takes the ice for the club.

Ins and Outs

Kevin Henderson signed with SaiPa in the Finnish Liiga and was placed on the Mallards' suspended list last Saturday...P.J. Musico was acquired from Greenville in exchange for future considerations last Tuesday...Tanner Eberle (upper body) has missed the Mallards' last three games... Olivier Archambault (upper body) has missed the Mallards' last 11 games...Zach Pochiro (upper body), who has missed the Mallards' last 19 games, is on 21-day injured reserve..

UPCOMING HOME GAMES

Friday, February 19, 7:05 p.m.- Mallards vs. Cincinnati Cyclones

$1 Dog/$1 Beer Friday presented by 97X

Fans again this season can enjoy $1 hot dogs and beers from iWireless Center concession stands during all Friday home games.

MetroLINK College Night

The Mallards have once again partnered with Metro to provide transit service between Augustana College and downtown Moline during all Friday home games. As part of Metro's unlimited ride program, Augustana riders can use their Augustana ID as their fare.

R.I.A. Federal Credit Union River Bend Foodbank Challenge

Mallards fans are asked to lend a hand during the month-long challenge by bringing a non-perishable food item to any of the team's February home games. Donations can be made at the R.I.A. table located on the main concourse behind sections 108 and 109. For each item donated R.I.A. will enter the donor's name in a drawing for an iPad mini.

Saturday, February 20, 7:05 p.m.- Mallards vs. Cincinnati Cyclones

Chick-fil-A Night

Fans who make a purchase at either of the two Davenport Chick-fil-A locations can get a coupon good for $5 off a ticket to Saturday night's game while supplies last. The Davenport Chick-fil-A restaurants are located in the Northpark Mall and at 2945 East 53rd Street. Beginning tomorrow, fans who purchase tickets to Saturday night's game at the iWireless Center box office will receive a coupon for a free Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich. Also Saturday night, fans attending the game will have the opportunity to win free Chick-fil-A items. The Chick-fil-A cow will be on hand Saturday evening to meet fans and pose for photographs with children.

R.I.A. Federal Credit Union River Bend Foodbank Challenge

Mallards fans are asked to lend a hand during the month-long challenge by bringing a non-perishable food item to any of the team's February home games. Donations can be made at the R.I.A. table located on the main concourse behind sections 108 and 109. For each item donated R.I.A. will enter the donor's name in a drawing for an iPad mini.

ON THE AIR

Fox Sports Radio 1230 is the radio home of Mallards Hockey Presented by Genesis Power Sports Performance. Mallards games broadcast on AM 1230 also stream live online at www.wfxn.net. A limited number of Mallards games- including this tomorrow night's game in Wichita- will not air on Fox Sports Radio 1230 due to conflicts with University of Illinois basketball and football and Green Bay Packer football. ECHL-TV pay-per-view video webcasts and free audio webcasts of all Mallards games are also available at myqcmallards.net.

MOBILE

The Mallards' official mobile app is now available free for both Apple and Android. The app features a wide array of exclusive content, including behind the scenes video, breaking news and scoring alerts, interviews and video messages from coach Terry Ruskowski and Mallards players, instant access to live scores, stats and standings and special offers from the team and from Mallards partners.

TICKETS

Single Game Tickets

Single game tickets for all Mallards regular season contests are now available. Fans can contact the Mallards at (309) 277-1364 or info@myqcmallards.com for more information about tickets. Single game tickets are also available at the iWireless Center box office, at Ticketmaster outlets, through www.ticketmaster.com or through Ticketmaster charge-by-phone toll free. The box office is open weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and on game days from 10:00 a.m. until the start of the second period.

Group Tickets

Groups of at least ten receive savings off the walk-up price and a host of group benefits. Mallards group tickets are a great fit for youth organizations, friends, co-workers, family groups, religious groups, school functions and business events. For more group ticket information, fans can contact the Mallards at (309) 277-1364 or info@myqcmallards.com.

THIS WEEK

Tuesday, February 16, 7:05 p.m.

INTRUST Bank Arena, Wichita

Quad City Mallards vs. Wichita Thunder

Friday, February 19, 7:05 p.m.

iWireless Center, Moline

Cincinnati Cyclones vs. Quad City Mallards

Saturday, February 20, 7:05 p.m.

IWireless Center, Moline

Cincinnati Cyclones vs. Quad City Mallards

Quad City

22-21-5, 49 points

4th place, Midwest Division

Coach: Terry Ruskowski

Wichita

10-31-9, 29 points

4th place, Central Division

Coach: Kevin McClelland

Cincinnati

25-19-5, 55 points

2nd place, Midwest Division

Coach: Matt MacDonald

LAST WEEK

Friday, February 12

Tulsa 3 Quad City 2

Saturday, February 13

Quad City 4 Tulsa 3 (OT)



ECHL Stories from February 15, 2016


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